Why front-to-back dispersion matters more than you think

The “interview” portion of a professional club fitting is one of the most important parts of my time with a customer at True Spec Golf.

This is where I learn their playing history, understand where their game stands today, and set goals for where they’d like to go. Together, the fitter and the player sketch out the current state of their equipment and define reasonable outcomes for the session.

As you might expect, common goals include greater distance and better dispersion. What most golfers don’t realize, though, is that those two goals can sometimes work against each other.

The real value of carry distance

When I talk about distance, I focus on carry distance, not total distance. If my 6-iron carries 150 yards but rolls out to 175, that total number doesn’t help much on the course — especially on the firm conditions often seen in competition.

When a player tells me they want better dispersion, I challenge them to value North/South (front-to-back) dispersion as much as East/West (left-to-right). As a fitter, I learn more from a player’s ability to control front-to-back distances than from how tight their shot pattern is around the target line.

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Through the bag — from wedges to driver — proper stopping power is a sign the equipment fits correctly. Ball height, spin, shaft profile, swing weight, offset, loft and length all play a role. When a player achieves the right launch and spin, it means they’re striking the ball solidly. And there’s nothing more important in golf than solid contact — everything good flows from there.

It matters off the tee, too

Front-to-back consistency isn’t just for irons. It’s equally important when fitting a driver. I understand the urge to chase distance, especially in a fitting environment, but it can be fool’s gold to prioritize the longest drive you’ve ever hit over the setup that produces repeatable distance and consistent strikes.

Consider this example: Player A and Player B have identical swing speeds, angles of attack and club paths. Player A chooses the driver that produced his two longest drives during the fitting — but also his shortest. It required extra effort to hit well. Player B picks the setup that feels easy to swing and keeps his drives within five yards of each other, even if his longest shot wasn’t quite as far.

Both players hit driver about ten times per round. Player A outdrives Player B twice — but those are also the only two fairways he hits. Player B finds eight of ten fairways. Over a season, who’s likely enjoying the game more?

Probably Player B.

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Bottom line

Next time you’re in for a fitting at your local True Spec Golf or are thinking about your equipment, pay close attention to your front-to-back dispersion. It deserves just as much focus as your left-to-right shot pattern. The tighter that North/South window gets, the more control — and enjoyment — you’ll find in your game.

Want to find the best set of irons for your game in 2025? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.